Racing Stars and Scholars to Lift the Lid on Melbourne Cup Magic

17 AUGUST 2010

The 150th anniversary celebrations for 'the race that stops the
nation' TM will arrive in Canberra on Friday, 13 August, for a
public Symposium at the National Museum of Australia (NMA),
entitled The Heart of Australian Racing: The Melbourne Cup.

Hosted by the National Museum of Australia in conjunction with
the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), the Symposium will assemble some of
the country's most well-known and respected racing identities,
heroes, historians and public thinkers to discuss, debate and
celebrate the allure of the Emirates Melbourne Cup on both the
national and international stage.

Reflective of the impact of the Melbourne Cup across all facets
of Australian life, including politics and business, the Symposium
will feature a headline address from former Liberal politician,
leader of the Opposition Party and respected businessman, The Hon
Andrew Peacock, AC, GCL.

"This symposium will showcase the immense impact of the
Melbourne Cup on Australia's culture and psyche," Mr Peacock
said.

"It is a pleasure to be involved to discuss one of my true
passions in life – racing and the Melbourne Cup," Mr Peacock
added.

Andrew Peacock, as owner, came all so close in 1974 when his
mare Leilani – a much loved racemare of her era –
finished second to stable-mate Think Big in the Melbourne Cup.

The iconic 18-carat gold Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy, valued
in excess of $150,000, will also feature at the exclusive
event.

"The Melbourne Cup has enjoyed a rich and vibrant history and we
thought it only fitting that in this, its milestone 150th year, we
look back at the influence this great race has had on Australia's
sporting, social and cultural heritage as well as our national
identity," said VRC Chairman, Rod Fitzroy.

"Bringing together the opinions and contributions of people who
have researched and studied the legacy of the Melbourne Cup, as
well as those who have lived and breathed the race, the Symposium
will offer a rare insight into not just why, but how, the Cup has
had such an impact on the Australian way of life," Mr Fitzroy
said.

A highlight of the Symposium is expected to be a panel
discussion featuring Bob Charley, former Chairman of the Australian
Jockey Club and Australian Racing Board; Fiona Caruthers from the
Australian Financial Review; and Geoff Slattery, publisher of
commemorative Melbourne Cup book, The Story of the Melbourne Cup:
Australia's Greatest Race, which will examine how important chance
and pure luck is to racing success.

To reflect on the Melbourne Cup's influence in shaping
Australia's culture, academic Chris McConville; VRC Chairman Rod
Fitzroy; VRC historian Andrew Lemon; and journalist and media
personality John Harms, will also take to the stage to discuss why
the event has endured such grand success over the past 149
years.

"The Heart of Australian Racing: The Melbourne Cup" is not only
a celebration of the 'race that stops the nation'TM, but a chance
to peel back the layers and explore the underlying ideas, people
and passion it represents," said Andrew Sayers, Director of the
National Museum of Australia and event co-host.

The Royal Australian Mint will also take part in the day's
proceedings by launching a commemorative 150th Melbourne Cup
coin.

The Heart of Australian Racing: The Melbourne Cup Symposium is
being held in Canberra as part of the celebrations for the 150th
Melbourne Cup year. It will showcase the 2010 Emirates Melbourne
Cup Trophy which is currently on a 220 day world tour taking in 40
destinations across the world. The Australasian component of the
tour commenced on Monday, 2nd August in Sale.

To celebrate the 150th milestone year, the 2010 Emirates
Melbourne Cup Tour will visit destinations that are intrinsically
linked to the Cup's rich history, alongside towns and cities that
are iconically Australian.